The quality of the etching is excellent as with past ABER sets with very fine details as well as embossed and engraved details plus the usual engraved bending lines where needed.
As with previous “basic sets” this has mostly the smaller and more intricate details for the kits with the largest items being the typical 38(t) perforated fender storage box which has additional latches and support brackets added.
On the engine deck there is the intake grill with separate frame that requires careful bending but unfortunately on my set the engraved bending lines were not fully formed and missing from one side which is unusual and using an etched bending tool will be essential here to get the bend in the correct position.
The intake has the inner grill mesh very finely etched as well as the outer mesh screen and the sliding cover that goes between the two for quite and intricate assembly but will look very good when assembled.
Another extremely complex assembly is the rear hull mounted smoke grenade
rack with the rack itself requiring numerous bends as well as the end sections
of the outer cover curved with the smoke candles made from plastic rod (not
included).
The mechanism on the left side of the rack has numerous parts held together
with small sections of thin plastic rod as well as a spring made from thin
wire (both the rod and wire not included).
Nearly all of the engine deck hinges are replaced with etched parts as are the hinges on the glacis inspection hatch and the turret hatches and you have a choice of using etched bolt heads or the resin bolt heads provided which have a better 3D effect than the flatter etched items.
All the tool clips and brackets are provided as etched parts plus additional details for the jack with these requiring you to cut the moulded on clips and brackets from the kit parts.
Other details include the tail light face and brackets plus the complete front mounted horn and details for the Notek light and other smaller fittings around the vehicle.
Conclusion:
This set has many of the smaller detail items to add those finer details to
the kits but some assemblies are quite intricate such as the smoke racks
and engine deck intakes and some previous experience working with etched
parts would be helpful.
A little work is needed to remove some moulded on kit details to take the etched parts but nothing beyond most modellers and you will have to provide the plastic rod and wire yourself.
Recommended 7.5/10
Download the instructions in .pdf format.
Also see:
Set #35 201
German Light Tank Pz.Kpfw.38(t) Ausf.E/F/G Vol.2 Fenders
Set #35 A109 Storage Boxes & Additional
Equipment for Pz.Kpfw.38(t)
Set #35 L53 German 3.7cm KwK A 7 L/42 Barrel for Pz.Kpfw.38(t)
And the 38(t) Subject Page for reviews of additional update sets for available 38(t) kits.
Reference:Panzerkampfwagen 38(t) Panzer Tracts No.18 Thomas L Jentz Hilary Louise Doyle |
>PRAGA LT vz.38 P zKpfw 38(t) MBI Publishing ISBN: 80-86524-01-9 |
PzKpfw 38(t) Tank Power Vol.XXI Wydawnictwo Militaria No.241 ISBN: 83-7219-241-3 |
TANKS & ARMOUR: PANZER 38(t) Ian Allen Publishing ISBN: 071103091X |
Pz.Kpfw 38(t)Ausf.A-D in detail Special Museum Line No.38 Wings & Wheels Publications ISBN 80-86416-58-5 |
PzKpfw 38(t) in action Squadron/Signal books #2019 Charles K. Kliment and Hilary L. Doyle. ISBN 0-89747-089-3 |
Thanks to ABER for
the review sets.
carry
the full range of ABER update sets and barrels.
Page Created December 21, 2006